Athens, Ga. (November 6, 2025) – When Charlie Carnes was placed on hospice care at Piedmont Athens Regional, his daughter, Ivey, shared a heartbreaking sentiment with hospital staff: she was getting married soon, and her father wouldn’t be able to attend.

What happened next was simply extraordinary.

Moved by Ivey’s story, the compassionate team at Piedmont Athens Regional sprang into action to create a moment the Carnes family would never forget. Within hours, staff members came together to plan a wedding ceremony inside the hospital’s Sacred Space, ensuring Charlie could witness his daughter’s special day.

A staff member who plays piano volunteered to provide music, while another — an ordained minister — offered to officiate the ceremony. The hospital’s gift shop donated a bouquet for the mother of the bride, and another team member made a quick trip to a local store to pick up a wedding cake. Ivey was able to retrieve her wedding dress from home, and by 6 p.m., the hospital’s space had been transformed into a heartfelt venue.

With Charlie and his wife, Harriet, seated proudly in the front row, Ivey and Dimitri Hall exchanged vows surrounded by family, friends and the Piedmont Athens Regional staff who made it all possible.

The impromptu ceremony was a testament to the hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care and the power of community. For the Carnes family, it was a day filled with joy, love and memories they will cherish forever.